Counter Top: Stain or Not?

Toxarch

So my counter top is done and ready to stain. But I got to looking at it and I started thinking that it might look good naked. Well, not completely naked because it would have a marine spar varnish over it (might discolor a little from varnish). But it would look a lot like it does below. Stain everything in the lower table and then leave the top without a stain. It would look a bit like a butcher block counter. Can't see much grain in pine until it is stained.
It was 3/4" but then I added another 3/4" lip to it to make it 1.5" thick on the edges. Looks better with the thicker edge and makes the top a little more rigid.

Here's the top of the table:


Here's a closeup of the end of the table:


The stain I am using is a General Finishes Light Brown dye stain.
Here's a closeup of the stain on my drawer:


So what do you think? Should I stain it or leave it au naturel? I need to decide by tomorrow.

GregW

I see you mention pine. Pine will stain uneven unless you put a wood conditioner on it prior to staining. Uneven staining may be what you want it to be.

If it is pine it will need to be sealed with something, maybe even a deck type stain/sealer.

Toxarch

The water based stain I am using doesn't act the same as an oil based stain. In my test pieces, I don't have a problem unless I go slow while staining and stain over dry stain. Even the end grain looks good.

Jstroke

I am going to say this. In relation, i built a picnic table out of pine. I gave it four coats of good spar varnish. Over time the weather has got in and started to create grey/brown spots. I dont think you can stop this. I wish i had stained it with deck stain. 

GregW

Jstroke said:

I am going to say this. In relation, i built a picnic table out of pine. I gave it four coats of good spar varnish. Over time the weather has got in and started to create grey/brown spots. I dont think you can stop this. I wish i had stained it with deck stain. 

That has been my experience using varnish on outdoor projects.

Toxarch

I'm using McCloskey Man O'War Marine Spar Varnish. It's tung oil based so it shouldn't crack later.

MaskedMarvel

Chiming in..

i just refinished the heart pine floors upstairs with 100% tung oil. So glad I did.  Stuffs not cheap, and there is a method to applying, but the end result is timeless, durable, waterproof, food safe, and easy to repair. 

MaskedMarvel

Note - this is 100% tung oil NOT the tung varnish or other versions available. 

Toxarch

I put some of the varnish on a test piece I have. It made the wood a slight yellow like a yellow pine. I think it looks good so I'm going to go that route. The whole bottom of the table will be stained brown and the top will be natural. I hope it looks good in the end. Not yet sure how it will look with the dark granite piece going on the right side.